Moving from Baltimore, MD to Peoria, IL
It is 785 mi between Baltimore and Peoria β roughly 15h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
785 mi Β· 15h 10m by car Β· MD β PA β WV β OH β IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MD β PA β WV β OH β IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 74, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Baltimore | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.487 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 110.215 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.353 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 118.194 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.7% moving from Baltimore to Peoria β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $188,101 in Baltimore to $128,838 in Peoria, a 12.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Baltimore -1.1%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Baltimore | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.7" | 37.6" |
Annual temperature drops 6.4Β°F moving to Peoria per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Peoria sees 26.2 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MD SCI CTR BALTIMORE, MD US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Baltimore | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $59,623 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.3 | 2.29 |
Household income lines up β $59,623 vs $58,716 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,760 | $41,540 |
| Production Occupations | 15,910 | $46,610 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,790 | $29,380 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,580 | $38,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 13,350 | $71,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Maryland and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Peoria averages 26.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Peoria, IL from Baltimore, MD?
The driving distance is 785 mi and the route typically takes 15h 10m via I 70 and I 74. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Baltimore to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 785 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Peoria more expensive than Baltimore?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 12.7% lower than Baltimore (91.231 vs 104.487, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Baltimore?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $188,101 in Baltimore β a 31.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Baltimore vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $59,623 in Baltimore β a 1.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Baltimore?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $54,140 in the Baltimore MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 1,304,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Baltimore.
City profiles: Baltimore, MD Β· Peoria, IL.